Bodily remains decomposition

ABSTRACT

An organic composition for decomposing bodily remains including a composite mixture of compost, peat, sulfur, and gypsum. The composite mixture is configured to combine with the bodily remains to decompose the bodily remains. The combined mixture has a reduced pH for reducing the detrimental effects of the bodily remains on the environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 15/723,859, filed Oct.3, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the decomposition of bodilyremains. In particular, the present invention relates to a compositematerial for decomposing cremation and non-cremated burial remains.

BACKGROUND

Memorializing the deceased is typically done using cremation ornon-cremation burial, with or without the body contained within a casketor other enclosure. Cremation is the combustion, vaporization andoxidation of cadavers to basic elements of bone and mineral fragments.The modern cremation process uses large, high-powered furnaces calledcremators. The cremation process destroys all traces of organic,carbon-based matter and all bodily fluids evaporate and escape throughthe cremator's exhaust. The only thing remaining of the body aftercremation is part of the skeletal structure containing small amounts ofsalts and minerals.

Cremation remains are usually placed in a container and stored as amemorial, scattered into the environment, or buried into the earth. Thetoxic levels of sodium and high alkalinity levels of the cremationremains can be harmful to the environment. In particular, cremationremains can damage plants and alter the soil composition when theremains are placed in or around plant life. Non-cremated remains aretypically buried and can also be harmful to the environment.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an organic composition for decomposing bodily remainsgenerally comprises a composite mixture of compost, peat, sulfur, andgypsum. The composite mixture is configured to combine with the bodilyremains to decompose the bodily remains. The combined mixture has areduced pH for reducing the detrimental effects of the bodily remains onthe environment.

In another aspect, a method of making an organic composition fordecomposing bodily remains generally comprises mixing together acomposite mixture including compost, peat, sulfur, and gypsum. Thecomposite mixture is configured to combine with the bodily remains todecompose the bodily remains. The combined mixture has a reduced pH forreducing the detrimental effects of the bodily remains on theenvironment.

In one embodiment, the composite mixture is aged for a period of time tofacilitate the growth of bacteria for use in decomposing the bodilyremains.

In yet another aspect, a method of treating bodily remains fordecomposing the bodily remains generally comprises mixing together acomposite mixture including compost, peat, sulfur, and gypsum. Adding aprescribed amount of the composite mixture to a prescribed amount of thebodily remains such that the composite mixture combines with the bodilyremains to decompose the bodily remains. The combined mixture has areduced pH for reducing the detrimental effects of the bodily remains onthe environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a process of combining a compositematerial with bodily remains for decomposing the bodily remains; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a process of combining anothercomposite material with bodily remains for decomposing the bodilyremains.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an organic compositemixture 10 configured for breaking down bodily remains 12 (e.g.,cremation and non-cremated burial remains) to reduce any detrimentaleffects the remains may have on the environment. In one embodiment, thecomposite mixture 10 is used to decompose cremation remains. Thecomposite mixture 10 mixes with the bodily remains 12 to produce acombined mixture 14 having a reduced pH as compared to the pH of thebodily remains prior to being mixed with the composite mixture. Forexample, the pH of bodily remains, such as cremation remains, may bebetween about 10 and 12. Adding the composite mixture 10 to the remains12 can produce a pH of the combined mixture 14 of about 7 or less. Inone embodiment, the pH of the combined mixture 14 is less than about6.8. In one embodiment, the pH of the combined mixture 14 is about 3.Reducing the pH reduces the alkalinity of the combined mixture 14 makingthe mixture less harmful to the environment. Adding the compositemixture 10 to the bodily remains 12 also dilutes the sodium levels ofthe remains making the remains less toxic. Thus, the combined mixture 14is significantly more conducive to promoting plant growth than thebodily remains 12 prior to treatment with the mixture 10. The compositemixture 10 can be used for the decomposition of human or pet remains. Inone embodiment, the composite mixture is 100% organic.

In the illustrated embodiment, the composite mixture 10 comprises acombination of compost 16, peat 18, soil 20, sand 22, sulfur 24, andgypsum 26. The compost 16 may include leaf compost, lawn waste, or anyother suitable compost material. The composite mixture 10 could haveadditional components not mentioned, or only some of the componentsmentioned, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Aprescribed amount of the mixture 10 is combined with a prescribed amountof bodily remains 12 so that the mixture can effectively decompose theremains. In one embodiment, about 1 part of remains 12 is mixed withabout 10 parts of composite mixture 10 to accomplish the desired levelof decomposition of the remains. For example, when storing the remains12 in a pot or container it may be desirable to use the 1 to 10 ratio.However, other ratios can be used without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure. In one embodiment, about 1 part remains 12 are mixedwith about 1 part composite mixture 10. For example, when burying orscattering cremation remains it may be desirable to use about a 1 to 1ratio of remains 12 to composite mixture 10. However, other ratios canbe used without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The composite mixture 10 can comprise between about 30% and about 70%compost, between about 20% and about 50% peat 18, between about 5% andabout 10% sand 22, between about 5% and about 10% soil 20, between about0.01% and about 1.0% gypsum 26, and about 5 lbs/50 cubic yards of sulfur24. In one embodiment, the composite mixture 10 comprises about 50% peat18, about 35% compost 16, about 10% soil 20, about 5% sand 22, about0.01% gypsum 26, and about 5 lbs/50 cubic yards of sulfur 24. Otherpercentages for each component are envisioned without departing from thescope of the disclosure. The inclusion of sulfur 24 and gypsum 26 intothe composite mixture 10 work to reduce the pH and dilute the sodiumlevels when the composite mixture 10 is combined with the bodily remains12. The sand 22 reduces compaction of the combined mixture 14 which isadvantageous in the decomposition process. Depending on the amount ofbodily remains 12, the composite mixture 10 may take up to about 3months to break down the bones of the remains when the combined mixture14 is not buried. It will be understood that the decomposition time mayvary depending on the bodily remains 12 and the manner in which theremains are held.

The composite mixture 10 can be aged prior to being combined with thebodily remains 12 to facilitate growth of bacteria that is useful indecomposing the bodily remains. In one embodiment, the composite mixture10 is aged outside such that the composite mixture is exposed to thesurrounding environment during the aging process. Thus, the agingprocess may be dependent on the environment in which the mixture isaged. For example, a lower ambient temperature may produce a higherinternal combustion temperature within the composite mixture 10 which inturn facilitates the aging process. In addition, a humid environment mayenhance aging. In one embodiment, the composite mixture 10 is aged forat least about 3 months. In one embodiment, the composite mixture 10 isaged for about 6 to about 24 months. During the aging process, thecomposite mixture 10 can be stirred or turned regularly to facilitatethe growth of the bacteria. In one embodiment, the composite mixture 10is stirred at least once per month. Stirring the composite mixture 10can accelerate the aging process. For instance, in certain environments,aging may take only about 6 weeks when the mixture is stirred. Themixture 10 can be aged for a different duration or time and/or stirredat a different rate without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, an organic composite mixture of another embodimentis indicated generally at 110. The composite mixture 110 is configuredfor breaking down bodily remains 112 (e.g., cremation and non-crematedburial remains). In one embodiment, the composite mixture 110 is used todecompose non-cremated burial remains. The composite mixture 110comprises a combination of compost 116, peat 118, sand 122, saw dust128, sulfur 124, and gypsum 126. The composite mixture 110 could haveadditional components not mentioned, or only some of the componentsmentioned, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Aprescribed amount of the mixture 110 is combined with a prescribedamount of bodily remains 112 so that the mixture can effectivelydecompose the remains. In one embodiment, one non-cremated human or petbodily remains 112 are mixed with a relatively proportioned amount ofcomposite mixture 110 to accomplish the desired level of decompositionof the remains. The amount of composite mixture 110 depends on the sizeof the body. At a natural burial site, a portion of the compositemixture 110 would be layered in the bottom of the grave site and thenanother portion of the mixture would be layered above the body. The restof the grave would be filled with soil. The composite mixture 110 can beapplied to the bodily remains 112 in other ways without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure.

The composite mixture 10 can comprise between about 30% and about 70%compost 116, between about 20% and about 50% peat 118, between about 5%and about 10% sand 122, between about 5% and about 20% saw dust 128,between about 0.01% and about 1.0% gypsum 126, and about 5 lbs/50 cubicyards of sulfur 124. In one embodiment, the composite mixture 110comprises about 20% peat 118, about 65% compost 116, about 5% sand 122,about 10% saw dust 128, about 0.01% gypsum 126, and about 5 lbs/50 cubicyards of sulfur 124. Other percentages for each component are envisionedwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Just as in the firstembodiment, the inclusion of sulfur 124 and gypsum 126 into thecomposite mixture 110 work to reduce the pH and dilute the sodium levelsof the combined mixture 114 when the composite mixture 110 is combinedwith the bodily remains 112. Also, the sand 122 reduces compaction ofthe combined mixture 114 which is advantageous in the decompositionprocess. Sawdust is used to enhance the growth of aerobic bacteria.

When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the examplesand embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that several advantages of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

Not all of the depicted components illustrated or described may berequired. In addition, some implementations and embodiments may includeadditional components. Variations in the arrangement and type of thecomponents may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of theclaims as set forth herein. Additional, different or fewer componentsmay be provided and components may be combined. Alternatively or inaddition, a component may be implemented by several components.

The above description illustrates the invention by way of example andnot by way of limitation. This description enables one skilled in theart to make and use the invention, and describes several examples,embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of theinvention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited in its application to the details of construction and thearrangement of components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also,it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used hereinis for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting.

Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparentthat modifications and variations are possible without departing fromthe scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims.It is contemplated that various changes could be made in the aboveconstructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope ofaspects of the invention. In the preceding specification, variousexamples and embodiments have been described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made thereto, and additionalembodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scopeof the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. Thespecification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in anillustrative rather than restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating bodily remains fordecomposing the bodily remains, the method comprising: mixing together acomposite mixture including compost, peat, sulfur, and gypsum; andadding a prescribed amount of the composite mixture to a prescribedamount of the bodily remains such that the composite mixture combineswith the bodily remains to decompose the bodily remains, the combinedmixture having a reduced pH for reducing the detrimental effects of thebodily remains on the environment.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecombined mixture has a pH that is reduced from a pH of the bodilyremains prior to being combined with the composite mixture.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the combined mixture has a pH equal to orless than about
 7. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bodily remainscomprise one of cremation and non-cremated burial remains.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the bodily remains comprise human or pet remains. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the composite mixture comprises betweenabout 30% and about 70% compost, between about 20% and about 50% peat,between about 0.01% and about 1.0% gypsum, and about 5 lbs of sulfur per50 cubic yards of compost.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomposite mixture further comprises soil and sand.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the composite mixture comprises between about 5% andabout 10% soil and between about 5% and about 10% sand.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the mixture comprises about 35% compost, about 50%peat, about 0.01% gypsum, and about 5 lbs of sulfur per 50 cubic yardsof compost.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mixture furthercomprises about 10% soil and about 5% sand.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the mixture comprises about 65% compost, about 20% peat, about0.01% gypsum, and about 5 lbs of sulfur per 50 cubic yards of compost.12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the mixture further comprisesabout 5% sand and about 10% saw dust.